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Adding Characters

MTI Show Support
Related MTI Shows: Seussical JR. 
Julie M.:

Looking for specific ideas for how to incorporate Thing 1 & Thing 2 characters.   Can you provide me any?

(139 days ago)
Christie Jeter:

Thing 1 and Thing 2 lived in the Jungle of Nool in our Seussical Jr. They also appeared in the Circus (when Mayzie saw a show and thought she'd go.) My Thing 1 and 2 were acrobats, so I had them do a little bit to the circus music in the beginning of the scene. Thing 1 and 2 also appeared as themselves in "Oh, The Thinks You Can Think" and "Green Eggs and Ham".  Since we're not really allowed to add characters or change them, we just figured that Thing 1 and 2 would have probably lived in the Jungle of Nool, since it was such a cool place to be.

(137 days ago)
Claire Clinkingbeard III:

We used Thing 1 and Thing 2 to bring props on and off the stage.  They pushed the nest during the circus, delivered the pillberry bush, and interacted with the characters throughout the show.  This kept the show moving along as we never had to stop for any kind of scene change.  They also found themselves in Green Eggs and Ham!  They are such fun icons of Dr. Seuss so it worked perfectly to incorporate them into the show.  Best of luck!!! :)

(137 days ago)
Christie Jeter:

That is brilliant - wish I had thought of it myself!

(137 days ago)
Andrew Williams:

Hmm.. I didn't have a Thing 1 or a Thing 2.  I fully agree with having actors doing the push/pull for set changes. It keeps the story moving and kids are less likely to try and change the channel during the blackouts. Cool

In our production we dressed the Who's in "Circus McGurkis" coveralls and red clown noses. They managed the set transition to/from the Circus. They also did a very tired/slow motion "Sweep Up" of all the popcorn Mayzie spilled, as Horton crooned "Solla Sollew". You could almost hear the arthritic creaking in their joints, as they swept and scrubbed. Throw in the moonlit lighting it made for a solemn moment, as it showed a different side of the circus to the one Mayzie had been viewing.

(There's a still at 1:38 in our slide show video)

 

Back to your question - I would go back to the books - Thing 1 & 2 hung out with the Cat in the Hat. So wherever the Cat can be.. so can Thing 1 & Thing 2. Given the Cat has to transition fairly quickly between some characters, you could opt to do them in full view, having Thing 1 & 2 bring out the clothing/props required etc.

(133 days ago)